ROD Removal/Gov. Security Breach Notice Costs.

Removed the requirement for county boards to adopt a code of ethics for registers of deeds, which was the primary focus of the original bill.

Removed provisions for county manager reviews, public hearings, and sanctions like private censure or suspension that were part of the original ethics code process.

Added provisions allowing judges to suspend a register of deeds pending hearing and specifying that vacancies are filled according to existing G.S. 161-5 procedures.

Changed the grounds for removal from a code of ethics violation framework to specific statutory causes that mirror those for removing other county officials.

Added provisions requiring superior courts to advance removal cases on their calendar and allowing costs to be taxed against complaining parties if there was no reasonable cause for the complaint.

The security breach notification cost reimbursement provision for third-party vendors remains substantially the same, requiring them to pay for breach notification costs and legal fees.

Added a judicial removal process where the superior court judge can remove a register of deeds for specific causes including willful misconduct, corruption, extortion, felony conviction, or intoxication.

Changed the complaint process from being filed with county managers to being filed as a formal petition in superior court, requiring county or district attorneys to prosecute the case.

Added a new section clarifying that the register of deeds serves as ex officio clerk of the board of county commissioners.